Chess may be challenging to play, as many people claim, but an eight-year-old youngster is a champion in it.
Having grown up watching his father and older brother play the game, Johan Eapen, a chess master from Fontainebleau, began playing the game at the age of four.
He draws inspiration from the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer, which is based on the life of chess prodigy, Joshua Waitzkin.
The Grade 3 learner at The King’s School Robin Hills started playing tournaments and won against much older children after learning the basics for a period of two months.
“I enjoy the company of my chess friends, as it keeps me going,” he said.
This young chess genius has already participated in more than four international chess competitions since he began playing.
His local highlights include obtaining position two in 2020 at South African Closed Chess Championship in Centurion. Between March 31 and April 4, this year, he scooped position three at the very same tournament in Sandton.
His father Premod said, “As parents, we feel very proud and at the same time we teach him to accept success with humility and failures with composure. Above all, he needs to be grateful for the skills and opportunities he got.”
Premod told Randburg Sun that he would like to see him win a medal for South Africa at one of the world chess competitions.
He said that Johan does not have any financial assistance to participate in international tournaments and the family would be grateful for any financial support to help the young chess star to compete and participate in international events and get a good coach to train him to be the best player.
Johan has been selected to represent SA at the 2023 World Rapid and Blitz Tournament, in June in Georgia, in Europe, the 2023 World Chess Championship, in Egypt in October, the 2023 Commonwealth Chess Championship in India, and the 2023 African Youth Chess Championship in June.
To lend a helping hand, you can contact his father on 076 985 1154 and email premod@gmail.com
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